Women in Music launches South African chapter

The launch of the chapter coincides with Women’s Month and marks a step forward in the local music industry. WIM SA's founding members include Keke Mokoena (Keke Mokoena Brands), Tumi Mogapi (SAMRO publisher services manager), Lulama Mali (Platoon SA), Diane Coetzer (music journalist), Manaileng Maphike (YLT Services), Mpumi Phillips (creative manager, Sheer Publishing), Sarah-Jane Nicholson (Africa Rising Music Conference) and Morgan Ross (Universal Music Group Live Africa general manager).

“There is a real need for women in the industry to connect, uplift, support and create opportunities for women,” Mogapi, who is WIM SA's chairperson, said. “It is crucial to have a space for conversations about levelling the playing field for all, with the mission to educate and grow the South African music industry. We are creating a space for us to pause, reflect and ask questions to address representation and belonging.”

WIM SA vice-chairperson Maphike said: “There are minimal spaces solely for women in music within the midst of the highly male-dominated South African music industry. WIM South Africa is that space – a space where South African women can create networks with like-minded women from across the globe to propel their careers beyond the borders of South Africa.”

WIM membership provides benefits such as access to educational and networking events around the world, educational seminars, panels and workshops with top-notch professionals, up-close and personal evenings with acclaimed performers, producers and other industry professionals, round-table discussions on current topics relevant to the industry, and special mixers and speed networking events.

Members also get access to online networking groups, directories, newsletters and forums, among others, to enhance connections with the SA chapter and WIM's worldwide community. This includes access to an exclusive WIM Google Group as well as useful resources and information from mentors and peers.

WIM's launch will be followed by a six-part series of online panel discussions where women in the South African music industry can discover more about WIM membership and connect to the organisation’s growing community. Prospective members will be able to learn more about WIM’s mission, values and work in the first of the panels, which will be presented in collaboration with the Africa Rising Music Conference. Hosted by WIM SA's founders, the first event in the series will take place on 31 August.

For more information send an email to Lulama Mali at wimsouthafrica@womeninmusic.org.